As my needs have grown so has my computer power, but portability is still important

[Hieveryone]

I have a 2019 MacBook Pro 15" and a 12" MacBook. These days I would probably take my 15" if I needed to go anywhere because it has more power.

I was wondering if portability should be a factor when considering upgrading to the new 16" MacBook Pro.

I have been watching reviews on YouTube and people are saying it is bigger and heavier.

I don't think it's THAT big a deal to be honest but if someone doesn't need that added power would it be best just to stick with the 15"?

 

[astorre]

2019 MBP 15'' is 4.02 lbs, 2021 MBP 16'' is 4.8 lbs, whoever says this difference of 0.78 lbs or 0.353 kg is a deal breaker is out of their mind and probably have servants feeding them and moving all stuff for them because even spoon is too heavy for them

 

[Hieveryone]

2019 MBP 15'' is 4.02 lbs, 2021 MBP 16'' is 4.8 lbs, whoever says this difference of 0.78 lbs or 0.353 kg is a deal breaker is out of their mind and probably have servants feeding them and moving all stuff for them because even spoon is too heavy for them

That's not true. If you go on YouTube influencers are saying it's got weight to it

 

[ian87w]

I was wondering if portability should be a factor when considering upgrading to the new 16" MacBook Pro.

I have been watching reviews on YouTube and people are saying it is bigger and heavier.

I don't think it's THAT big a deal to be honest but if someone doesn't need that added power would it be best just to stick with the 15"?

Only you can judge whether the added bulk is worth it.

Any extra weight can add up if you have to carry the laptop all the time. And for me, no matter how "slight" the difference, it can be a hassle when you are up and go on the road.

I have played around with the 16" Macbook Pro at a store, and it is hefty. Plus the design made it feel bulkier than older Macbook Pros. These Macbook Pros are definitely intended to be a workstation laptop, meaning their portability is secondary to their performance.

Having said that, if you don't mind carrying your 15" Macbook Pro, then I don't think you you will mind with the 16" Macbook Pro either. But if you prefer the 12" Macbook as your on-the-go laptop, the 16" will feel significantly bulkier.

I'd suggest play with one first at a store.

 

[Hieveryone]

Only you can judge whether the added bulk is worth it.

Any extra weight can add up if you have to carry the laptop all the time. And for me, no matter how "slight" the difference, it can be a hassle when you are up and go on the road.

I have played around with the 16" Macbook Pro at a store, and it is hefty. Plus the design made it feel bulkier than older Macbook Pros. These Macbook Pros are definitely intended to be a workstation laptop, meaning their portability is secondary to their performance.

Having said that, if you don't mind carrying your 15" Macbook Pro, then I don't think you you will mind with the 16" Macbook Pro either. But if you prefer the 12" Macbook as your on-the-go laptop, the 16" will feel significantly bulkier.

I'd suggest play with one first at a store.

Ok, that makes sense. I need to feel it for myself. I don't mind my 15". I love the big screen and it is fantastic for getting stuff done. I'm sure I will love the bigger screen

 

[aevan]

2019 MBP 15'' is 4.02 lbs, 2021 MBP 16'' is 4.8 lbs, whoever says this difference of 0.78 lbs or 0.353 kg is a deal breaker is out of their mind and probably have servants feeding them and moving all stuff for them because even spoon is too heavy for them

It’s not too heavy, but the new MBP (as great as it is) is definitely more uncomfortable to hold and use in a lap than my previous 2016 MBP. It’s a combination of weight and size. The difference may seem small on paper, but you do feel it.

With that said, the trade-off is worth it and I love it, and it’s definitely still portable.

 

[Chancha]

There is an added bulk or volume in the newer 16" and 14". Particularly since you came from the 2019 15", which is the slimmest ever for that line (note I use the word slim).

If weight is the only concern then the 16" is not that far away from the previous 10 years of the line, that is if you leave it in your backpack for instance. What is really notable for the new 16" is how it is shaped. It no long tapers on the edges as sharp as the previous designs, instead it is rather boxy shape only rounding its corners to the very last 3mm radius or so. In the hands it feels more like the pre-unibody Aluminium C2D MacBook Pros, in that you will feel uneasy to handle it such as taking it in and out of bags, or moving it around once you have it on a desk etc. The overall height of the bottom case together with the taller rubber feet also makes the whole palm rest area elevated more than before, potentially hinders typing if you are used to the thinner ones.

That said I think it is still really portable, just not as ultra-portable as before.

 

[lambertjohn]

If you can walk, you can tote around the new 16" MacBook Pro. I have one. It's awesome. I carry it to church and restaurants and the library. With 20 hours of battery life, for me at least, it's a fantastic tool for my writing business. And once you see that 16" screen in person, you'll never want anything else. It's the perfect computer, IMO.

 

[fpenta]

I went back and forth between the 14" and 16". I returned two 16" and one 14" and I kept the second 14".

I'm also coming from a 2018 15". The 16" is significantly bigger and heavier than the 15" (1.8 kg vs 2.1 kg).

It really depends on what "portability" means to you.
For me, the 16" is too heavy to carry with my photography gear, it doesn't even fit in any of my Shimoda bags (the 15" didn't have any problem with every bag I have ever had). For this reason I was forced to go with the 14" even if my heart wanted the 16".

I'm 33 and I'm a fit guy. I don't have any problems with carrying more weight when needed, but in this case I could save 500 g (the 14" is 500/600 g lighter than the 16"!!) which is a lot when carrying other heavy gear.

I also have a 2019 27" iMac so the 14" made more sense. The 16" is more of a desktop replacement. If this will be your only computer, I'd go for the 16".

 

[ahostmadsen]

I think of the 16" as a portable desktop. I used to have a combination of 15" MBP and 12" MB, using the 12" MB on the go. Now I have a combination of 16" MPB and MacBook Air (yes, kind of a luxury), but it's not ideal. I wish Apple would make a small, affordable MacBook, as a supplement to a 16" MBP. Or even have an iPad run full MacOS alongside iPadOS.

 

[Hieveryone]

It’s not too heavy, but the new MBP (as great as it is) is definitely more uncomfortable to hold and use in a lap than my previous 2016 MBP. It’s a combination of weight and size. The difference may seem small on paper, but you do feel it.

With that said, the trade-off is worth it and I love it, and it’s definitely still portable.

This is EXACTLY what I've been hearing

Basically it feels way different the previous models

That's not a bad thing net net for many people though. In fact I'm sure pros love it

I don't think I am a pro unfortunately

 

[Sterkenburg]

I have the 16" and while the added weight and thickness are noticeable compared to the 15", it is still portable enough for me (then again, I once used to lug around a 17" unibody...). Try handling it in a brick-and-mortar Apple Store and see how it feels for you.
Personal opinion: this return to function over form was a necessary tradeoff for the Pro line. The M1 Pro/Max is a much, much better laptop than any Mac from the TouchBar generation, it's not even a contest.

 

[AmazingTechGeek]

I'm only going to say this once:

I prefer the weight of the new Pro's over the Air. I owned an Air once a few years ago. It was too light and think for me to feel like I could safely grab it. It is great for portibility, don't get me wrong; however, it is understated that the Pro notebooks are still portable and are usually purchased for specific utilization.

If you aren't sure what you would use the pro for as of now, get the air or 13in Pro; else, buy the new Pro models. Not much simpler way to put that out there.

 

[Hieveryone]

I have the 16" and while the added weight and thickness are noticeable compared to the 15", it is still portable enough for me (then again, I once used to lug around a 17" unibody...). Try handling it in a brick-and-mortar Apple Store and see how it feels for you.
Personal opinion: this return to function over form was a necessary tradeoff for the Pro line. The M1 Pro/Max is a much, much better laptop than any Mac from the TouchBar generation, it's not even a contest.

I agree that it is much better. I'm not a power user by any means, but that screen alone feels like it would be worth it for me. The new keyboard is amazing as well judging from the reviews.

I just need to decide if lugging it around is worth it (I'm sure I will find it so)

 

[Chancha]

I'm only going to say this once:

I prefer the weight of the new Pro's over the Air. I owned an Air once a few years ago. It was too light and think for me to feel like I could safely grab it. It is great for portibility, don't get me wrong; however, it is understated that the Pro notebooks are still portable and are usually purchased for specific utilization.

If you aren't sure what you would use the pro for as of now, get the air or 13in Pro; else, buy the new Pro models. Not much simpler way to put that out there.

That's an interesting point. When the 14" 16" dropped, I hassled to an Apple Store to see it first hand, ended up choosing the 14" due to too much bulk on the 16" for my taste. But after actually using the 14" for a bit I realize how damn sturdy the new chassis is, that while the 16" is really not easy to handle, it can actually take a lot of abuse down the years. I have never seen a laptop screen 15" or larger that has so little flex like in the MBP16", that thing is built like a tank.